Best Blogs of 2013

It's been a busy year on this blog.  A total of 255 posts.  We've had several different series.....reports on my 30 by 30 List, Letters to Mr. Right, Family Farm Fridays, a report on my Eastern European Adventure, and pictures of Christmas décor in Deck the Halls.

So I had quite a task ahead of me as I sat down to sort through and come up with a list of my 20 favorite blogs.  And after a lot of re-reading (and a bit of creative pairing and counting)....I have completed this little project.

If you're new, this is a yearly occurrence...check out the best blogs from 2010, 2011, and apparently I slacked and didn't do this in 2012.  My bad.

And now, I give you my Best Blogs of 2013.

Philip from Milwaukee  Perhaps my favorite blog of the year if you made me choose just one winner.  In honor of ND Friend's birthday, I completed an act of kindness.  And it ended up being a beautiful thing.

The Day the Music Stopped  This blog remembered my Great Uncle and resulted in me giving the eulogy at his funeral.  An honor for which words will not do.

The Barn that Built Me  A take off of Miranda Lambert's  hit song, this blog looks back at my life spent mostly in a barn with animals and my family.

Those Two Girls  On the eve of College Roomie's wedding, I look back at our friendship.

My Six (or Eight) Word Motto  I tried to come up with a life philosophy in 6 words.  It took 8, but I got it done.

Auschwitz Thoughts Parts  One and Two  Although the entire trip to Europe was amazing, there was nothing that I will carry with me in the way that Auschwitz will forever be burned into my mind.  It took two blogs to get out my thoughts.  I firmly believe everyone should experience the horror of that place.

Meeting the Boy from Texas:  Parts one and two. When I turned the reins of this here blog over to the readers and let you all pose questions to The Boy from Texas.....chaos ensued.  But he's a good sport (and still around) so it turned out just fine.

My Dream Dinner Party List  I came up with the people who I would invite to my dream dinner party.  They include a Pope and Little Cowboy and a football coach and many more....but seriously, how's that for variety?

Aunt Tiff/Little Cowboy Day of Fun and When Little Cowboy Met the Boy from Texas  Little Cowboy posts are always the biggest comment-generators on this blog.  You guys love that little guy.  I think that these two blogs full of quotes may have been his best yet.

My Biggest Regrets  As I looked back over my life, the things that I regret were not big, but small.

Letters to Me....  at 18 and at 24.  I love writing letters to my former self, and this year I added two more to the collection.

Family Farm Friday #82:  20 Years Ago Today  On the 20th anniversary of my very first sheep show, I look back (and include a photo journey of each year) on the activity that most shaped my life.

The Mr. Franklin I Knew  On the anniversary of his death, I remember that the Mr. Franklin who was one of my favorite people was not the same person that others often saw.

Family Farm Friday #84:  He Waited a Long Time  When my dad's dream came true and landed him in the winner's circle at he State Fair, he enjoyed his time smiling for photos.

What Might Have Been  I thought about how my life would have been different had I been able to attend law school at Notre Dame....and then decided that things have worked out quite well on the path that was taken.

Gran Said a Cuss Word  Remembering one of my favorite stories about that crazy Grandma of mine.

He's Never Run Through an Airport for Me  A blog written by someone else with this title went viral, and looking at The Boy from Texas inspired me to write my own version.

Me at 30  As I do every year on my birthday, I took inventory of the person who I am on the day that I turned the big 3-0.

A Voiceless Prayer and a Toy Airplane  My story of a miracle after praying a voiceless prayer at the Grotto at Notre Dame.

So, now comes the hard part...what was YOUR favorite blog of 2013??

What I've Learned This Year

"Fate loves the fearless." ~James Russell Lowell

Well 2013 is coming to a close.  It was certainly a year of change.  As I do each year (2009, 2011, 2012), I sat down to come up with a list of the things that I've learned in the last 365 days.

1.  Sometimes, you just have to take a chance.  I've learned to just do it.  Say yes to the date.  Interview for the job.  Book the vacation.  Run the half marathon.  Put an offer on the house.  Try it.  Take the chance.  Great things might happen.

2012 OKC Half Marathon

2.  Change can be good.  I'm completely change averse.  I don't even like it when a restaurant changes their menu layout.  So the fact that in the last 12 months I have pretty much turned my life upside down was cause for some pretty serious concern.  This year I moved to a different state, bought a house, sold a house, quite a job, got a new job, got a new vehicle, got a new boyfriend, visited 4 new countries and two new states. But what I've learned is that change can be good if we can just let go and see how things work out.

3.  I do my best thinking in a quiet church.  Whether it was at Adoration on Monday nights in Albuquerque or while sitting in Pope John Paul II's favorite pew in Krakow, Poland or knelt before a Grotto in South Bend, I'm convinced that this is where my brain works the best.

 4.  When someone wants to be with you, they make that clear.  There were years and countless boys that caused me to say, "Do you think that means he likes me?"  And what I know now is that if you have to ask that question, the answer is probably no.  Because that Boy from Texas has shown me that if someone really likes you, they let you know and you don't have to question it.

5.  Watching someone else get a bucket list checkmark might be better than getting your own.  I watched two of the toughest grown men that I know stand in stadiums with tears in their eyes this year.  Taking my Uncle Buddy to his first football game at Notre Dame and then standing with him on that field and then sitting with my dad in the Thomas and Mack Center as he watched Round 8 of the National Finals Rodeo in person after having watched it on tv for the last 25 years were memories that I will never forget.

Me and Uncle Buddy at Notre Dame - Sept. 2013

Me and my Dad at the NFR

6.  Auschwitz is something everyone should have to see.  Despite writing two blogs attempting to do so (here and here), there really are not words to describe the feeling of standing on the ground where such horror occurred.  It changes a person.....and I think maybe it's the kind of change that the world could use.

 

7.  Long distance relationships are hard.  Since I started dating The Boy from Texas about a week after I accepted a job that moved me 9 hours away from him, people told me from the beginning how hard a long distance relationship would be.  I laughed at them.  I had been perpetually single for, like, ever.  That was hard.  And then I figured out that they were right.  It's hard getting on that plane on a Sunday afternoon and it's hard going a month without seeing each other and it's hard having a bad day (or a good day, actually) and him not being there in person. 

8.  Despite #7, The Boy from Texas makes it so worth it.

 

 

9.  Business class is the ONLY way to fly overseas.  I don't think I can ever fly internationally in coach again.  It was SO worth helping Cousin Swiss Mister to hit on the waitress at the Hooter's in Budapest to get that upgrade.

 

10.  It's the people next to you that matter.  In the end, it doesn't matter how much your house cost or what kind of car you drive or how many degrees you have or how much money you make.  It's the people standing next to you who are important.  When 9 girls got on airplanes and took time out of their lives to be there to celebrate me turning 3-0, I was reminded there are no better people in the world than my friends.

 

Family Farm Friday #86: Why God Chose The Stable

Earlier this week I read this newspaper clipping and felt like I related to this more than maybe anything else I'd ever read.



 

We lamb (meaning the mamas have babies) during Christmas every year.  This means that for as long as I can remember, someone had to go out at night at least once to check on everything at the barn.  And yea, I complained about having to get out of my warm, comfy bed at 2 in the morning.  And it was freaking cold.  Lots of times windy too (thank you, Eastern New Mexico....)  But it was always peaceful (you know, until you figured out you had to pull lambs or had a pile of 15 lambs and 8 mamas and no idea who went with who!)  It's dark and quiet and still and you can see the stars.  I, too, think I understand why God chose a stable.

Two Years.

"Memories never die."

 

 

Two years ago, our family changed forever when we lost Uncle David.  We are all better people for having known him.  We thank God for that. 

 

Deck the Halls Post #5: Me (and The Boy from Texas and my Parents)

I thought that finishing out our series by showing you how me and the familia (and the Boy from Texas) decorate for the holiday was the perfect ending.  Merry Christmas to All!!

My Casa

 

Since this was my first year in my house, and my first time living in a house rather than an apartment, I was excited to decorate for Christmas.  As was New Roomie.  So we hit up Hob Lob and did some major damage.  We had this great plan to do some major outdoor decorations but a little ice storm and freezing temps sort of killed that plan.  So we went with an indoor motif.  Here's the results:



We New Mexican girls were way excited about chile pepper lights!

I loved this photo of the Nativity and the little ball with a church inside.

I love Nativities...I hope to start a collection.

   

The Boy from Texas

 

After being inspired by Blonde Oklahoma Girl, I asked The Boy from Texas if we could put up a tree at his house.  Being the good boyfriend that he is, when I arrived after Thanksgiving, the tree was already all set up just waiting for decorations.  So we headed out to get some bling to put on the tree and then we decorated. 

 

Our first tree. :)

And then he snuck back over to better organize the ornaments so everything was even.  How I managed to find someone even more anal than me is something I completely do not understand.

 

Proof of his OCD in action.

And after the tree was decorated (and then reorganized) we spent the night watching Love Actually in the lights from the tree.  Perfection!

 

My Parents

As always, I'll be at my parents' house for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  My mom sent me a couple of snapshots of the decorations that she got put up before we arrive for the festivities.

 

Deck The Halls Post #6: Tiny Dancer and Wax Sister!

Because my friends are freakin' awesome and I got more Deck the Halls pictures than I had days to post them, today we're posting two together......and because it makes it more interesting, they are completely different.   We've got a bachelor pad apartment in Chicago and a hunters paradise in New Mexico.  Intrigued?  Good.  You should be.

Tiny Dancer

My buddy Tiny Dancer lives with like 5 other guys in  an apartment in Chicago.  So when I learned that they put up Christmas decorations, I immediately emailed him in order to get some photos.  A bachelor pad Christmas décor blog?  Who can beat that!  He said it all started when one of his roommates from SC bought a poinsettia to support their local economy.  It continued on because it's their favorite time of year and they needed things to be ready for their big Christmas party!  I just love it!  (And many of these guys are still single....not Tiny Dancer who put a big ol' ring on ND Friend's finger, but the others.....hit me up if you want the hook up!)

Wax Sister

My friend Wax Sister is just awesome.  She's this adorable girl who can rock high heels and a dress and then spend the next day shooting birds.  Well rounded....that's her.  I loved her hunting-related Christmas décor and begged her to share!  She's super crafty and you can totally tell that from her decorations!

This is one of her left over wedding invitations!

Deck The Halls Blog #5: Almost Gypsy Soul

Hello Figuring Out the Plot readers! I am Jen over at Almost Gypsy Soul. I was so excited when I got asked to write my very first guest blog post. ever. I think that means I'm moving up the ranks in blogland right?  {Get your booties over to her page and follow her right now if you don't already!}

Either way, I'm pumped about it! I'm supposed to show you my decorations, but because I'm selling my house....I'm not putting up decorations this year, but I'll share with you some of my favorite things about the Christmas season. **If you know anyone who needs/wants a house in Rock Springs, WY...send 'em my way**

I love Christmas. I love that there is still some innocence to be found. There is still joy to be found in giving, in the small things and making a difference. So what are some of my favorite things about Christmas?

Cinnamon Pinecones - Nothing makes me smile like walking into my house (and my office got decked out into them too) and smelling these yummy delights. Now if you will excuse me, I'll be smelling my pinecones.

Christmas Lights -Nothing beats those old school big, primary colored lights. They are just too cool and I finally bought some one sale last year after Christmas so this is my first year of stringing some up outside. I love Christmas trees too and we did get our work Christmas tree up this year....and because we are the Department of Agriculture, it has farm animal and tractor ornaments!
The Christmas Elk -There is an elk bronze statue when you come into Rock Springs on 191N and during Christmas they put lights on his antlers and I love it! and they aren't putting lights on it this year, so I'm calling them Scrooge! {Pretty sure Red River does lights on the town elk so when we're on the Ski Trip, we'll go get some pictures!}

My Nativity Scene - I have always wanted a nativity scene but those babies are expensive! Anyway after doing Pottery from the Heart, I decided I wanted to paint my own nativity set and I would pay an arm and a leg to do so. I envision family heirloom.....hee hee. I didn't get my whole set done for this year.....those things are tiny and very detailed!

 

The Angel Tree - I love, love, love the Angel Tree. I love shopping for gifts that kids wouldn't otherwise get for Christmas. I love being a part of kids believing in the magic of the season. I love imagining their faces, their reactions when they open their gift on Christmas morning. And for the record, I NEVER choose a kid who asks for gaming systems, video games, ipods or iphones. Cowboy boots, footballs, basketball hoops, scooters.....those are the kids I pick each year.   {I, too, am an Angel Tree fan, but I really love her approach to choosing a kid!!  Never thought of that!}


Tylie's Present Opening Skills - I'm sure everyone thinks their dog is the best dog ever, but let's be honest, mine really is the best dog ever. She opens presents like a champ and she always gets lots of presents because everyone in my family loves to watch her open presents.   {There was an awesome video of this, but I'm too dumb to get it uploaded to the blog.  Dang it!  But trust....her dog is awesome!}

She Said/He Said Christmas Wish List

I thought it might be fun to do a little poll of my friends to ask them what was on their Christmas wish list this year.  So I asked.....what do you hope Santa leaves under your tree?  We've split the answers up into she said/he said.  We've got people who are married, single, engaged, hoping to soon be engaged.  We've got moms and expectant moms and children.  Age ranges from 3 to 65.  We've got lawyers and teachers and marketers and fudge makers.  All this to say, this seems to be a pretty good pool to see what good gift ideas might be for people in your life.  And since this is the last weekend of shopping before the big day....you're welcome!

She Said....

Blonde Oklahoma Girl:  A Michael Kors purse, a pink tool set (because you know I need to build things) and a hen for Rooster Cogburn.

Mrs. Arizona:  The Breaking Bad dvd series.

Gonzaga Friend:  A mamacoat (she's 7 months pregnant and cold, bless her heart!)

Miss Liv:  These awesome boots and a Keruig (even on sale here) and this new watch.

Loud Oklahoma Girl:  Atlanta Braves running shorts and new running shoes.  (We are on a mission to get fit and to do the OKC half marathon again, so she's obviously gearing up well!)

ABJ's Mama:  Cookie dough that makes me skinny.  (Amen, sister.  Amen!)

Almost Gypsy Soul:  Cast iron skillet, electric blanket, and these super cute boots.  (She lives in freaking Wyoming where it's been below zero for 10 days in a row.  This girl needs warm things!)

My Mom: A cross.  (She has a wall of probably 100 crosses...I swear she's going to pull the house down with this collection of hers!)

Cousin Mim:  Steak knives/cutting knives (so I don't have to cut my meat with butter knives anymore), clothes, and stuff to craft with.

Miss Canada:  These amazing boots and these even more amazing boots.  (Her exact words were "I would probably agree to marriage in exchange for these...")

College Roomie:  Fleece-lined leggings in every color. 

Me:  New luggage...something like this.  Oh, and this awesome running shirt.

Hometown Friend:  My favorite quote on my wrist as a stylish fashion piece, something to kick my butt into gear, a fun abstract way to remember everywhere I've lived, the latest in my eye shadow obsession that is naked palettes, this recipe box because I swear if my recipes were organized on beautiful cards I would cook more.

 

Super Mom:  Some new running shoes.

SoulMate Friend:  These slippers.

Mrs. Hepburn:  A letter from each of my children.

And last but not least, the winner of Tiffany's favorite gift request....Chicken Plucker.

Chicken Plucker:  My total frivolous want is this awesome purse.  My more practical want/need is 100 head of Simmental/Angus heifers.  (Good gracious do I love my friends!  Seriously, she wants cows for Christmas.  Boom.  That wins the contest.)

He Said....

 

Let me just tell you guys how many completely inappropriate emails I had to sift through to get this list.  I mean, seriously, boys.  Seriously.  I'd share them with you all, but the Bible Belt mothers do read this blog.

Cousin Kevin:  An enormous TV with a really good surround sound system, a tablet --iPad or something similar, one of those things that sits on the kitchen counter for hanging bananas.  (Seriously?  An iPad to a banana hanger?)

The Boy from Texas:  A gun.  (He fit in quite well at the Family Thanksgiving shoot out.)

Mr. Arizona:  A new mountain bike.

Little Cowboy:  Doctor toys, a iPod, a Frisbee.

McCain:  Broncos hat and hoodie, watch, sunglasses, Starbucks gift card, coffee mug for office, books, The Economist

Little Brother:  Camo for hunting, chaps for working, and new spur buckles.  (Yep.  We're a bunch of rednecks around here.)

Tuba Man:  New ratchet straps for the car.  Or a MacBook Pro.  (To which his wife responded "yea right.")

Little Linebacker:  "Cars with the eyes."  Apparently he means toys from that movie Cars.



Deck The Halls Post #4: Super Mom

Today's post completely explains why Super Mom received her blog name.  For crying out loud, she is taking care of three boys under the age of 3 who have been sick for weeks, she's pregnant with baby #4, she makes freaking homemade Christmas gifts for people like homemade vanilla extract and sugared almonds, and still has time to beautifully decorate her house and look this adorable while going to Mass on Saturday night.  Seriously, she's super human.  Enjoy.  Be jealous. 




I bought this before I was married and for some reason it's one of my favorite pieces.

This is part of my Christmas "china" - rather than picking out a regular china when I registered for my wedding, I picked out Christmas themed china. I love bringing it out every year to use every day as we prepare for Christmas!

 I love nativities.  This Nambe one was a gift from my grandmother.  I love it's simplicity!

Last year the boys received this book and figurine as a reminder of the real reason for Christmas.

I also love Christmas trees (see a theme here?).  I think I'll start collecting them :)



 I finally found an Advent calendar that I adore.  I've been putting little toys in it for the boys but hope to put ideas for acts of kindness that we can participate in during Advent as the boys get older.

A sweet lady in town made these stockings for each of the boys without me even asking her to - we'll forever treasure them!

Each one has their name and the year that they were born.

Just a little "Merry Christmas" garland.

Our Advent wreath.

Carter decorating a wonderful smelling real tree.

Our tree topper (with Jesus in the background).

I used to hate these glass ornaments, but now they're my favorite - funny how things change.